About Us
Larry Short, President SFTA
The mission of the Santa Fe Trail Association is to protect and preserve the Santa Fe Trail and to promote awareness of the historical legacy associated with it.
Joanne VanCoevern, Association Manager
Her relationship with the Santa Fe Trail Association began when she helped formed the Wet/Dry Routes Chapter in 1988-89 and served as the chapter’s first president beginning in 1990.
Chris Day, Vice President SFTA
Christine Day has shepherded fifth and sixth grade students down the Santa Fe Trail on ten-eleven-day camping trips since 1985.
Deb Goodrich, 2021 Chair
Santa Fe Trail Association Publicity Chair, co-host of the weekly television show, Around Kansas, the Wednesday feature of AgaminKansas, author and speaker.
Steering Committee Members
In addition to SFTA Chapter Representatives and Leadership, 200th Steering Committee Members are:
o Michelle Martin, Doctoral Candidate and Living Historian; Mesa, AZ
o Shane Seley, Filmmaker; Liberty, MO
o James Pepper Henry, CEO American Indian Cultural Center Museum, OK
o Steve Friesen, former director of the William F. Cody Grave and Museum; Denver, CO
o Pauline Sharp, Presenter/Citizen of Kaw Nation, Representative of the Kanza Heritage Society; Wichita, KS
o Don Bland, Retired Businessman/Living Historian; McPherson, KS
o Jeff Testa, History Teacher and Dad; Kansas City, MO
o Paula Zalar, Screenwriter/Living Historian; St. Louis, MO
o Johnny D. Boggs, western writer; Lamy, NM
o Michael Grauer, McCasland Chair of Cowboy Culture, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum; OKC
o Carol Neumann-Waskie, Living Historian; Philadelphia, PA
o James Hodgin, CDA Entertainment; Nashville, TN
o Marci Penner, Founder Kansas Explorers; Inman, KS
o Henry B. Crawford, Founder/Owner History by Choice; Lubbock, TX
o George Marcec, Fort Leavenworth Public Affairs Officer: Leavenworth, KS
o Mary Madden, KSHS; Topeka, KS
o Aaron Mahr, Supt., National Trails
o Frank Goodrich, President of the Murphey Western Institute, (Council Grove)
o Patrick Zollner, KsHS; Site Administrator, Topeka, KS
o Peter Sherayko, Actor/Writer, California
o Dr. Michael Olsen, SFT Historian, Colorado Springs, CO
o Patricia Traffas, SFTA DAR 200th Chair, Overland Park, KS
o John Carson, Bent’s Old Fort
o LaDonna Hutton, SFTA Symposium 2021 co-chair, Rocky Ford, CO
o Andy Obermueller, Journalist, author, Lincoln, KS
Arts Sub-Committee
Promotion of arts/artworks related to the story of the Santa Fe Trail:
Melissa Rau, Topeka
Gary Roller, Taos
Karen Knox, Boston
Marianne Adames Tennant, Leavenworth
Marcia Wilclifton, Colorado
Cally Krallman, Topeka
Ron Kil, Santa Fe
Tonya Lamb, Kansas
Allen Blasco, KCMO
Terry McMaster, Branson, Missouri
Chris Cruz, Kansas
Gary Byrd, Colorado
Marla Matkin, Kansas
Judy Coder, Ellensburg, Washington
Jonathan Hertzel, Santa Fe
Jeff Davidson, Kansas
Louise Pedroza, Mexico
Jim Clements, Kansas
Shirley Quaid, Choctaw, OK
Gregory Mayse, Fort Collins, CO
Trail Partners in Heritage, History, People, Preservation
